Gremlins on brink of County Cup crown

2:50pm Monday 15th November 2010

By Matthew Colledge

Bridgwater Carnival club Gremlins go into tonight's Weston Carnival knowing only a disaster will stop them
claiming the County Cup crown outright.

Gremlins head to Weston, the final carnival on the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association circuit, having won the six previous carnivals at Bridgwater, North Petherton, Highbridge and Burnham, Shepton Mallet, Wells and Glastonbury, with their cart, Wild Bill's Runaway Train.

Last year, Gremlins shared the County Cup with Ilminster tableau club Gemini, but unless they finish fifth or worse at Weston, and nearest rivals Huckyduck CC, of Coleford, win the tableau
category, Gremlins will be outright champions.

Gremlins chairman Phil Brockbank said: “We're over the moon.

"There's a really happy feeling on the cart. Everybody can't wait to get on, and nobody wants to get off.

“We're really excited about the chance to win the County Cup.

"It's nice to share, but it's even better to win outright.”

There has been no such luck for Vagabonds CC, of Bridgwater, whose roof caught fire at Friday night's Wells Carnival, forcing members to walk the rest of the route in the dark.

Club captain Sean Rendells said: “We heard a noise and thought it was just some bulbs popping, but then we saw the flames.

“We were absolutely gutted - somebody said they had never seen so many grown men cry, but there is a real determination to stick together.”

Click the related link to find out how our other local clubs got in at this weekend's Carnivals in Wells and Glastonbury.